WAC 388-148-0485   What types of physical restraint are not acceptable for children?  Homes and facilities must follow these requirements. You must not:

     (1) Use physical restraint as a form of punishment or discipline.

     (2) Use mechanical restraints, such as handcuffs and belt restraints, unless ordered by the child's physician, such as a belt restraint for an infant with reflux who must be secured to a wedge.

     (3) Use physical restraint techniques that restrict breathing, inflict pain as a strategy for behavior control, or that is likely to cause injury that is more than transient to a child. These include, but are not limited to:

     (a) Restriction of body movement by placing pressure on joints, chest, heart, or vital organs;

     (b) Sleeper holds, which are holds used by law enforcement officers to subdue a person;

     (c) Arm twisting;

     (d) Hair holds;

     (e) Choking or putting arms around the throat; or

     (f) Chemical restraints, including but not limited to pepper spray.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030 and chapter 74.15 RCW. 04-08-073, § 388-148-0485, filed 4/5/04, effective 5/6/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030. 01-18-037, § 388-148-0485, filed 8/28/01, effective 9/28/01.]